The Impact of Telehealth on Managing Chronic Illness in Older Adults: A Nursing Perspective

Thesis Abstract

Abstract
This thesis explores the impact of telehealth on managing chronic illness in older adults from a nursing perspective. Telehealth, which encompasses the use of technology to deliver healthcare remotely, has gained significant attention in recent years due to its potential to improve access to care, enhance patient outcomes, and reduce healthcare costs. The aging population worldwide is facing an increasing burden of chronic diseases, making the effective management of these conditions a critical healthcare priority. Older adults often experience challenges in accessing healthcare services due to mobility limitations, transportation issues, and other barriers. Telehealth interventions have the potential to address these challenges by providing convenient and efficient ways for older adults to receive care and support for their chronic conditions. This thesis begins with an introduction that outlines the background of the study, presents the problem statement, objectives of the study, limitations, scope, significance, and the structure of the thesis. A comprehensive literature review in Chapter Two examines ten key studies related to telehealth interventions for managing chronic illness in older adults. The literature review covers topics such as the effectiveness of telehealth in improving health outcomes, patient satisfaction with telehealth services, barriers to telehealth adoption among older adults, and best practices for implementing telehealth programs in nursing care settings. Chapter Three details the research methodology employed in this study, including the research design, data collection methods, sampling strategy, data analysis techniques, and ethical considerations. The methodology section also discusses the selection criteria for participants, the recruitment process, and the tools used for data collection, such as surveys, interviews, and observations. Chapter Four presents a detailed discussion of the findings from the study, focusing on the impact of telehealth interventions on managing chronic illness in older adults. The discussion covers themes such as the benefits of telehealth for older adults, challenges encountered in implementing telehealth programs, strategies for overcoming barriers to telehealth adoption, and recommendations for improving the delivery of telehealth services to older adults with chronic conditions. Finally, Chapter Five provides a summary of the key findings, conclusions drawn from the study, and recommendations for future research and practice. The thesis concludes by highlighting the importance of telehealth in transforming healthcare delivery for older adults with chronic illness and the potential for telehealth to improve health outcomes, enhance patient experiences, and promote aging in place.